After Alberto's passage, Florida's beaches are on high alert

High rip current warnings are in effect for Panhandle beaches and much of the southeast Florida coast through Friday evening, according to the National Weather Service. A disturbance off the east coast is stirring up waters there, while the Gulf of Mexico is being battered by Tropical Depression Alberto and another low pressure system that may form.

An advisory is in effect for Walton, Bay, Gulf and Franklin County beaches through Friday night, the agency said, and a surf warning is in effect through 6 p.m. CDT Thursday. A high-risk surf warning is in effect for coastal Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties through Friday night and a surf advisory is in effect through 4 a.m. EDT Friday.

“Rip currents can carry even the best swimmers away from shore and into deeper water,” the NWS said. “Swim near a lifeguard. If you get caught in a rip current, relax and let yourself drift. Do not swim against the current. If possible, swim in a direction that follows the shoreline. If you cannot escape, turn toward shore and call or wave for help.”

Last year, there were 301 rescues at sea in Volusia County on Memorial Day weekend alone; this year, there were 43. In March, a tourist was pulled 230 feet into the Gulf of Mexico and rescued by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department.

If you or a companion go into the sea, you should know the following.

What are backwashes?

Surf backwashes are strong, concentrated channels of water that flow rapidly away from the shore. They most commonly occur in deep spots or breaks in sandbars and near structures such as breakwaters and piers.

Backwashes form when incoming waves create an underwater sandbar. The waves push more water between the sandbar and the shore until it collapses and the water rushes back to sea through a narrow gap where it begins to spread. However, they can be difficult to spot when you’re in the water because the sea above them may still be calm.

Rip currents often form during or after stormy weather, but can just as easily form on bright, sunny days, as the weather isn’t really their cause. Rip currents can occur at any time on any beach with waves.

What happens when there is a backwash?

You’re swimming on a Florida beach, enjoying the cool ocean water, when you’re suddenly swept off your feet and feel like you’re in a raging underwater river. You try to swim to shore, but the current grabs you and pulls you further out to sea.

Eventually the current will subside, but not before it sweeps you away, no matter how good your swimmer is. Fortunately, they are not difficult to overcome if you keep a cool head.

How many people die from backwash?

Surf riptides are a common hazard on Florida beaches. Tens of thousands of people are rescued from surf riptides each year in the United States, accounting for 81.9% of all surf beach rescues, according to a 2018 Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences report on lifeguard data.

The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) estimates that more than 100 people drown in the United States each year due to rip currents.

How far do backflow currents extend?

Sometimes the backwash ends just behind where the waves break, sometimes they continue hundreds of meters offshore. The strength and speed of a backwash can vary dramatically within minutes.

How fast do rip currents move?

Rip currents typically move at about 30 to 60 cm per second, but can reach speeds of up to 2.4 m per second. That’s 8.7 km/h, which doesn’t sound fast when driving a car, but is faster than Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. The average person swims at up to 3 km/h.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a backwash is usually strongest about a foot above the ocean floor. It can cause your feet to be pulled out from under you and increase the feeling of being dragged along.

Can you swim away from a rip current?

When you’re in the middle of it, it can feel relentless.

Even strong, experienced swimmers can quickly become tired when caught in a rip current while trying to swim against the rip current back to shore.

What is the best thing to do when there is a backwash?

The most important thing is to stay calm and even try to relax. They can be scary, but rip currents only pull you along, not under the water. The biggest danger is getting tired.

Don’t panic or thrash around, or even try to fight the current.
You may be able to escape the current by swimming with it parallel to the shore (or simply drifting or treading water) until it subsides or flows back toward the shore, at which point you can swim to the beach.
You can also try swimming with the current towards the breaking waves. From there, you may be able to swim to shore.
If you cannot reach the shore, are being dragged further out to sea, or are getting tired, draw attention to yourself by waving or calling for help.

What do I do if I see someone getting caught in a rip current?

The second biggest danger from rip currents is that people try to save others and drown themselves. This is a natural impulse that can do more harm than good. If you see someone in this situation:

Get a lifeguard.
If there is no lifeguard nearby, call 9-1-1.
Try to tell the victim to stay calm and swim along the shore.
If possible and safe, throw something that floats to the victim.

What does a backwash look like?

$Signs that a backwash is present include a channel of choppy, turbulent water, a crest or strip of seaweed moving seaward, an area of noticeable differences in water color, or a refraction of oncoming waves.$

Before you approach the water, check the conditions. There are several options.

Check the weather forecast. The National Weather Service publishes surf runoff reports. You can also check current surf runoff risks in Florida at weather.gov/beach/florida.
When at the beach, look for warning flags at beach entrances or lifeguard stations. Red flags mean dangerous currents are present. Double red flags mean the water is closed to the public.
Ask a lifeguard. Don’t be shy, any lifeguard will be happy to let you know if it is dangerous to enter the water.
Back away far enough to see the ocean surface, and look for visible gaps of darker, shallower spots in the lines of breaking waves, a channel of choppy, churning water, a difference in water color, or a line of foam, seaweed or debris moving back out to sea. But surf backwash can be subtle and difficult to spot, according to NOAA.

How do I protect myself and my family from backwash?

Knowing the conditions is important, but a rip current can still catch you by surprise, so here’s how to plan ahead.

Always swim near a lifeguard and check water conditions. Teach your children to do the same.
Assume that there will be rip currents whether there is a warning or not.
Make sure you and your family know how to swim in the surf. Being good in the pool doesn’t mean you’ll be able to handle the ocean.
Consider flotation devices for anyone who may have trouble staying afloat for long periods of time.

What do the beach warning flags mean?

Look for beach warning flags at lifeguard towers, stations and other locations to stay informed of current conditions and potential hazards.

Double red flags mean that the water is closed to the public.
A red flag means great danger, i.e. high waves and/or strong currents.
A yellow flag indicates medium danger, i.e. moderate surf and/or current.
A green flag means low danger, meaning calm conditions. Proceed with caution.
A purple flag means that dangerous marine life has been sighted.

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